Handout #6 Wednesday Night Bible Class March 30, 2011 Dr. Derrick J. Hughes, Pastor The Fundamentals of Spiritual Growth Proverbs 18:20-21 MEMORIZING AND SPEAKING SCRIPTURE WHAT YOU SAY IS WHAT YOU GET! Theme scripture for tonight s Message English Standard Version From the fruit of a man s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. New Living Translation Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction. The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. This text is one of the most misinterpreted text in all of Scripture! As Proverbs 4:23 says, Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. What we say comes from what s in our hearts. If we want to say the right things we must have the right things in our hearts. Guard against negatives coming in and we can prevent negatives from going out. That is why we must fully grasp the idea that we what we say is what we get.
2 Keep in mind that too much talking frequently to runs our spirit. When Words Are Many, Sin Is Not Absent, but He Who Holds His Tongue Is Wise (Proverbs 10:19). Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble (Proverbs 21:23). Death and life are in the power of the tongue: This line is literally Death and life are in the hand of the tongue, where hand is an image or idiom representing power. This line repeats the idea expressed in verse 20, that is, the consequences of what a person says may mean the death or life of someone (literally or metaphorically). In English the natural order for the opening words is life and death ; so NIV express this line as The tongue has the power of life and death. And those who love it will eat its fruits: Those who love it refers to people who love to talk or express their opinions. Will eat its fruits means will pay the price of their much talking, will be faced with the consequences of what they say. It is not stated whether this will be good or bad, but it is probably a warning that it will be bad. From the fruit of a person s mouth shall his belly be filled, with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. A person has to bear the responsibility for what his mouth utters. Words are viewed as something on which a person feeds. By their consequences words determine a person s position and fate (18:20). He who sows with his lips shall reap an abundant harvest, whether of sin unto death, or of righteousness unto life. Words seldom fall idly to the ground. Uttered often in thoughtlessness, they take root in congenial soil and come to fruition most unexpectedly. Often has a chance word, dropped casually to a stranger, been the means of untold blessing, rejoicing the soul of the one who uttered it, when at last he is apprised of its blessed result. The man of God may well be encouraged to steadily pursue his way, sowing beside all waters the precious gospel of God, assured that with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. But if the words be evil, the harvest is just as certain; and it is well known that weeds and noxious plants will flourish where nourishing fruits and grains cannot come to perfection. The man of unholy lips shall find abundant result from his reckless words, and shall as truly as the other eat the fruit thereof. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it, each one shall eat its fruit. Under certain circumstances cautious speech may
3 preserve life just as reckless speech may imperil it. They who love to use the tongue must accept the consequences of the way in which they make use of it whether for good or evil (18:21). So those who enjoy talking, indulging in it, must eat its fruit, whether good or bad. The expression eating the fruit is an implied comparison; it means accept the consequences of loving to talk. James 3:5-12 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Question: How are we to tame the tongue? Fill the heart with the right stuff so that from the tongue the right things will be spoken. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (Ps 119:11). LIVE THE NEW LIFE Christ the Center 2 Corinthians 5:17 Galatians 2:20 Obedience to Christ Romans 12:1 John 14:21 The Word 2 Timothy 3:16 Joshua 1:8 Prayer John 15:7 Philippians 4:6,7 Fellowship Matthew 18:20 Hebrews 10:24,25 Witnessing Matthew 4:19 Romans 1:16 PROCLAIM CHRIST All Have Sinned Romans 3:23 Isaiah 53:6 Sin's Penalty Romans 6:23 Hebrews 9:27 Christ Paid the Penalty Romans 5:8 1 Peter 3:18
4 Salvation is not by Works Ephesians 2:8,9 Titus 3:5 Must Receive Christ John 1:12 Revelation 3:20 Assurance of Salvation 1 John 5:13 John 5:24 RELY ON GOD'S RESOURCES His Spirit 1 Corinthians 3:16 1 Corinthians 2:12 His Strength Isaiah 41:10 Philippians 4:13 His Faithfulness Lamentations 3:22,23 Numbers 23:19 His Peace Isaiah 26:3 1 Peter 5:7 His Provision Romans 8:32 Philippians 4:19 His Help in Temptation Hebrews 2:18 Psalms 119:9,11 BE CHRIST'S DISCIPLE Put Christ First Matthew 6:33 Luke 9:23 Separate From the World 1 John 2:15,16 Romans 12:2 Be Steadfast 1 Corinthians 15:58 Hebrews 12:3 Serve Others Mark 10:45 2 Corinthians 4:5 Give Generously Proverbs 3:9,10 2 Corinthians 9:6,7 Develop World Vision Acts 1:8 Matthew 28:19,20 GROW IN CHRISTLIKENESS Love John 13:34,35 1 John 3:18 Humility Philippians 2:3,4 1 Peter 5:5,6 Purity Ephesians 5:3 1 Peter 2:11 Honesty Leviticus 19:11 Acts 24:16 Faith Hebrews 11:6 Romans 4:20,21 Good Works Galatians 6:9,10 Matthew 5:16 Remember that the Bible is God s cleansing agent for sin and that without it we will never live a holy life. Here s How: 1. Read It 10 times (aloud) (Hearing the Word will help you to remember the word). 2. Use mental pictures to see the verses after you have read it ten times. Read it with mental pictures 2 times. 3. Now start memorizing the verses. Remember only increments of (3) three words at a time starting over each time until you complete the verse. (Remember! Repetition is the key)
5 Hold on to it daily! Use it to fight off emotional and spiritual attacks. Pray the Word of God back to God. God your Word says FOR HELP READ Isaiah 40.When things look blue Psalm 139...When tempted to do wrong Psalm 46..If you are facing a crisis Psalm 23..When you are discouraged Psalms 103 and 104 or Job 38-40.....If you are bored Psalm 37...When business is poor Psalm 27 When you are lonely or fearful Psalm 107..When you are anxious for dear ones Luke 19...When you plan your budget Romans 12..To live successfully with other people Psalm 91 If you are sick or in pain Psalm 121 When you leave home for labor or travel Matthew 11:28-30 or Romans 8:31-39...When you are very weary 2 Timothy 3...When everything seems to be going from bad to worse Matthew 6 The best investment described Deuteronomy 8..Does God figure in our national life? 1 Corinthians 13..When friends seem to go back on you John 14.For inward peace Joshua 1...When you have been placed in a position of great responsibility 1 Corinthians 15 Revelation 21.If you have been bereaved Hebrews 11.. For a stirring record of what trust in God can do Luke 15-16..If you are satisfied with being well-to-do Romans 8.If you have experienced severe losses Ephesians If you are having to put up a stiff fight 1 John or John 3:1-21 or Isaiah 53 or Psalm 51.....When you have sinned 1 Kings 8 or Psalms 42,51 or Luke11:1-13; 18:1-14 or John 17 or Ephesians 3 For the way of prayer..john 11, 17, 20 or 2 Corinthians 4, 5 Revelation 21..If you have a fear of death